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Social Science Major BA

The social science major offers students an integrated and intellectually challenging approach to understanding social reality and the public issues that shape today's world. The program combines a strong commitment to higher order reading, writing, and thinking with extensive opportunities to integrate these academic skills with community-based experience. Department faculty are award-winning educators, committed to the intellectual, professional and civic development of their students.

The program is built on a strong foundation of interdisciplinary social science. Social science majors choose from three tracks: disciplinary (anthropology, political science and sociology), global studies and generalist. In addition, all students participate in an interdisciplinary series of advanced courses that provide a creative and rigorous educational experience.

The learning outcomes for a social science major are:

to know and understand the essential concepts of social science;
to comprehend the historical foundations and theoretical approaches of social science;
to plan and carry out social science research; to develop higher order thinking skills by analyzing and interpreting social science literature;
to write analytically in a style that is informed, well-reasoned and literate;
to recognize and understand the social significance of gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, religion, social class and physical ability;
to understand and utilize a global perspective; and
to develop civic skills and ethical awareness by participating in community-based learning and program internships.

Acceptance to the Program

To be eligible for acceptance to the Social Science major, students must submit a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form. Consult with an advisor before enrolling in courses toward the major.

Requirements (36 total credits)

At least half of the credits required for the major must be completed at Metropolitan State University.
Student should select lower division electives and upper division electives in consultation with an advisor.
Transfer courses may be applicable to major requirements. The university's degree audit will specify transfer courses that are directly equivalent to major requirements; other transfer courses must be approved by a faculty advisor in the department.
Students may not apply transfer credits in criminology to the major.
All social science majors must complete the following courses.
- SSCI 365 Social Science Internship: Leadership in Organizations and Public Life
- SSCI 311 Research Methods in Social Science
- SSCI 501 Great Ideas: Classics of Social Science (Prerequisites: SSCI 311 and WRIT 231)
- SSCI 451 Social Science Capstone: Thesis Seminar or SSCI 452 Social Science Capstone: Integrative Seminar (Prerequisites: SSCI 311, SSCI 501, and WRIT 231).

Generalist Track

Lower-division Electives (up to 9 credits)

Students may select courses in anthropology, geography, political science, social science, and sociology. Students may not apply more than 6 credits in any one discipline.

Survey Courses (12 credits, select one course from each of the three disciplines)

Core Courses (15-16 credits)

Note: Sequencing: SSCI 311, SSCI 501 and SSCI 451 or SSCI 452 must be taken in three separate semesters in the order listed above.

Upper-division Electives (to reach 36 credits)

Students may select 300-level courses in anthropology, political science, social science, and sociology.

Global Studies Track

Lower-division Electives (up to 9 credits)

Students may select courses in anthropology, geography, political science, social science, and sociology. Students may not apply more than 6 credits in any one discipline.

Lower-division Required Courses (6 credits)

Survey Courses (8 credits, select two courses from two different disciplines)

Core Courses (15-16 credits)

Note: Sequencing: SSCI 311, SSCI 501 and SSCI 451 or SSCI 452 must be taken in three separate semesters in the order listed above.

Upper-division Electives (to reach 36 credits)

Students may select courses from the following list:

Anthropology Track

Lower-division Electives in Anthropology (up to 9 credits)

Students may also take SSCI 100 Introduction to Social Science.

Survey Course (4 credits, select one course)

Core Courses (15-16 credits)

Note: Sequencing: SSCI 311, SSCI 501 and SSCI 451 or SSCI 452 must be taken in three separate semesters in the order listed above.

Upper-division Electives in Anthropology (to reach 36 credits)

Select 300-level courses in anthropology. Students may also take SSCI 401 Social Science Seminar: Contending Perspectives.

Political Science Track

Lower-division Electives in Political Science (up to 9 credits)

Students may also take SSCI 100 Introduction to Social Science.

Survey Course (4 credits, select one course)

Core Courses (15-16 credits)

Note: Sequencing: SSCI 311, SSCI 501 and SSCI 451 or SSCI 452 must be taken in three separate semesters in the order listed above.

Upper-division Electives in Political Science (to reach 36 credits)

Select 300-level courses in political science. Students may also take SSCI 301 Politics, Markets and Society and SSCI 401 Social Science Seminar: Contending Perspectives.

Sociology Track

Lower-division Electives in Sociology (up to 9 credits)

Students may also take SSCI 100 Introduction to Social Science.

Survey Course (4 credits, select one course)

Core Courses (15-16 credits)

Note: Sequencing: SSCI 311, SSCI 501 and SSCI 451 or SSCI 452 must be taken in three separate semesters in the order listed above.

Upper-division Electives in Sociology (to reach 36 credits)

Select 300-level courses in sociology. Students may also take SSCI 301 Politics, Markets and Society and SSCI 401 Social Science Seminar: Contending Perspectives.

More information about this program…